In the light lane

NEA Today, Nov 1999

In Honor of Veteran's Day Students frequently look at holidays as just another day off from school. Last year, in preparation for Veteran's Day, I asked my kindergartners if they knew what a veteran is.

"Sure!" one student confidently replied. "He's the guy who takes care of your cats and dogs."

Donna Scheer

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Recently our school system was shut down for a day due to maintenance problems. Students were told they had to have a "Makeup Day" because of the school closing.

One six-year-old was so distraught at this announcement. She replied, "But I'm not allowed to have makeup.

Bobbie Jean Cook Burnett

Russellville, Kentucky

At the end of the year, my third graders were making a book abag to hold all of their stories, journals. and "published" books that they had written. I told them one day they would appreciate all of the writing I had them do in my class:

I asked that they give me a call and thank me when they take out their written treasures and read them to their own children. One of my boys blurted out, But won't you be dead, Ms. Dorian?"

Joan Doran

Olympia, Washington

One year when teaching preschool, I was preparing students for a field trip to the local dairy. One student excitedly asked me, What doors is it?"

Not quite sure what she meant. I asked her to explain. After repeating her question several times, she finally stomped her foot, put her hands on her hips, and exclaimed, "You know, Is it INdoors or OUTdoors?"

Debbie Hutchinson Longmont, Colorado

As I entered the teachers' lunch room to grab a snack one morning, I noticed one of our first grade teachers working with a student.

I said, "I'm hungry. I missed breakfast this morning." The little first grader looked at me and said. 'I didn't know your name was Miss Breakfast."

Sue Polzin

Reston, Virginia

It's not uncommon for some of my students to be at a dance with their families until midnight or after. One boy came into my classroom late after such an evening.

"Oh. Mrs. Waggoner." he began, "I am so sorry I am late to school; we went to a dance last night, and this morning I was sick at my feet!"

Louadah Waggoner

Fort Davis. Texas

As a sixth grade teacher with two very young children I find myself singing children's songs daily.

I can't sing very well and my students remind me of this regularly. This only makes me sing to them louder and more often.

One day after my son had received a musical puppy, I began singing the song How much is that doggie in the window?"

The quietest student in my class spoke for the first time and jokingly said to me, "I'll give you $10 for that dog if you stop singing that song."

Deborah M. Loukotka

Pinckney, Michigan

I was talking to two of my sophomore junior-varsity basketball players in the hallway. I mentioned how well they play together, and always seem to know where the other person is on the floor. One replied, "Yeah, it's like we have ESPN."

Mark Mohre

Grand Blanc, Michigan

The last day of school before summer vacation was extremely hot, so I wore a sleeveless top in class. As we said our good-byes, one little girl gave me a hug. She then leaned back and noticed some previously concealed "beauty marks" on my upper arm. She rubbed them and said, "Hey, Mrs. Basso! You have sprinkles!"

Danielle Basso

Highland Lakes, New Jersey

My fourth grade class was taking a practice test. I read the directions, "When you have finished the last question, stop and look up."

Several minutes later I was puzzled to see my students looking up at the ceiling. I wondered.."What are they doing?" Then I remembered my directions!

Diane Brown

Fresno, California During a visit by the local fire department to my preschool class, one of the firefighters asked if anyone knew what to do if their clothes were on fire. One child shouted, "Stop, drop. and rock and roll!" Sharon Baxter

Prairie Village, Kansas As I was nearing my 60th birthday, I was talking with one of my kindergarten students. Child: Mrs. Minney, are you old?

Me: No.

Child: What are you?

Me: In the middle.

Child: What does that mean?

Me: It means I'm not old and I'm not young.

Child: Does that mean that you're JUST RIGHT?

This is why I love teaching kindergarten!

Martha Minney

San Diego, California